AI Damage2025 Hyundai Kona: common problems
Owners of the 2025 Hyundai Kona filed 28 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 26 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 28
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 26
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 32% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 11% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (32% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Forward collision avoidance: 3 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Structure: 3 complaints (11% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 28 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 17 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact further stated that smoke emitted from the deployed air bag and entered the passenger compartment of the vehicle. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained, and no medical treatment was required. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and was deemed a total loss.
I am convinced that the lane assist malfunctioned and drove into the side of the dumpster. I was not distracted and my brand new, 2025 Hyundai Kona was totaled in the accident. I had minor injuries but could have been much worse. I am not sure who to contact to report this and not sure it could be proven.
I don’t see visible lane or collision warnings. It is very unsafe and I have been to the dealership twice to try and fix it. The issue returned both times.
When accelerating from a stop the car hesitates to move creating a safety concern. My rear view mirror does not stay in place. The mirror drops down and I cannot see behind me causing a safety concern. Both side view mirrors have to be adjusted each time I drive the car.
Power train the engine roars up and drops jarring you back and forth second car within a yr first blew up brand new both and Hyundia and dealership blew me off
Component or System: The brake system, specifically what appears to be a false ABS activation or IEB (Integrated Electronic Brake) system malfunction. The component is available for inspection upon request.
My forward collision warning activates without cause. My automatic braking systems will engage.
The engine shut off, dashboard went dark, and power steering assistance was lost, creating a risk of collision and leaving the vehicle disabled in traffic. [dealer] dealer diagnosed and confirmed that a loose fuse box connector caused the loss of power.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,107 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 47% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Kona has 80 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 28, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition…
- Some Kona (SX2) vehicles equipped with the 1.6L T‑GDI engine may exhibit false “engine left idling”…
Some Kona (SX2) vehicles equipped with the 1.6L T‑GDI engine may exhibit false “engine left idling” notifications in the MyHyundai app, even when the engine is not running, due to a logic error associated with the…
- This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in…
This bulletin provides information related to the navigation and head unit software changes introduced in the 2026 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
- Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather
This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink functions
This may be due to an occasional disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to verify Bluelink Data Communication Unit (DCU) network connection and if needed, reset the DCU…
- Some 2019MY and newer vehicles equipped with a front view camera may illuminate certain warning lights and…
Some 2019MY and newer vehicles equipped with a front view camera may illuminate certain warning lights and trigger DTC C272246 fault code for the front camera. In the following cases, the front camera auto-calibration…
- Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines…
Some Elantra (CN7, CN7A), Kona (OS, SX2), and Sonata Hybrid (DN8 HEV) vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines may illuminate a warning lamp for DTC P218100 (Cooling System Performance) related to the Integrated…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
- This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and…
This bulletin provides information related to the changes introduced in the 2025 1st Navigation Map and Software Update. The changes may vary depending on vehicle type, model, and navigation system as described in this…
NHTSA lists 26 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2025 Hyundai Kona?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 28. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (14%), windows, sunroof (11%), seat belts (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2025 Hyundai Kona?
NHTSA lists 26 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2025 Hyundai Kona from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2025 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.